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OJVRTM
Online Journal of Veterinary Research©
Volume 12
(1) :28-40, 2008
Effects
of High Density Housing on Behavioral and Physiologic Parameters
in
F344
Rats and Long Evans Rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Nemelka KW, DVM1
, Bean K, DVM1, Sturdivant
R, PhD2, Hacker SO, VMD, DACLAM3, Rico PJ, DVM,
DACLAM1
1 Division
of Veterinary Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver
Spring,
MD 20910, 2 Department of Mathematical Sciences, United
States
Military Academy, West Pointe, NY, 10996. 3
Department of Lab Animal
Resources,
University of
ABSTRACT
Nemelka KW, Bean K, Sturdivant R, Hacker
SO, Rico PJ, Effects of High Density
Housing on Behavioral and
Physiologic Parameters in F344 Rats and Long Evans Rats (Rattus
norvegicus), Online Journal of Veterinary Research 12
(1) :28-40, 2008. Some
recommendations in the Guide for the Care
and Use of Laboratory Animals (the
Guide) are based on best professional judgment and experience. The
primary
objective of the study was to demonstrate that female and male F344 and
Long
Evans Rattus norvegicus could
be housed at higher densities than recommended in the Guide
without adversely affecting
the behavior or physiological state of the animals. We housed
approximately
4-week-old Long-Evans and 5-6-week old F344 rats at 4 different
densities in standard,
rack-mounted, polycarbonate shoebox cages for 8 weeks. Animals were
housed
individually, 5, 6 and 7 per cage achieving some densities that were
well above
the recommended floor space as stated in the Guide.
Some statistical differences were observed with respect to abnormal
behavior and hematological parameters, but the rats of both strains and
genders
gained weight and were clinically healthy despite the crowded
conditions. The
studies findings suggest that Long Evans and F344 can be housed at
densities
greater than those recommended in the Guide
based on observed behavioral and physiological parameters.
Key words: rats,
housing density, crowding, physiology parameters, behavioral parameters
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